Is hydro boost good for oily skin

Like many people with combination skin, certain parts of my face, specifically my cheeks, chin, and jawline, are more prone to dryness, especially come fall and winter. A recent and severe resurgence of acne led me to start using a couple of topical medications, which, because they contain ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and sulfur, caused my skin to dry out even more. 

While the medication was effective at targeting breakouts, the resulting dryness and itchiness simultaneously worked against it because my skin was always irritated. To balance out the dryness and quell my increasing panic over the flaky state of my skin, I took my dermatologist up on her recommendation to try Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Gel-Cream Face Moisturizer for Extra-Dry Skin. 

To my relief, it immediately worked to soothe and moisturize my skin and eliminate the irritation. It's the number one reason why my face hasn't cracked into a thousand pieces even after layers of acne medication. The gel cream's star ingredient that makes this possible is hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance that helps with skin repair. Hyaluronic acid attracts 1,000 times its weight in water and is often used to lubricate joints of those suffering from disorders like osteoarthritis. 

The light gel absorbs quickly into your skin and "acts as a sponge," according to Neutrogena. Its non-comedogenic formula is oil-free, dye-free, and fragrance-free, which is important for anyone with acne-prone or sensitive skin. I couldn't risk my skin getting any worse from the addition of another product, but this product turned out to be one of its saving graces. 

As a gel cream, it hydrates like a gel to make your skin feel tight and supple and moisturizes like a cream to fight dryness and make your skin feel soft. Unlike a pure moisturizer, which can feel greasy with too much use or as the day goes on, it's light, airy, and perfect for layering. After cleansing and toning, I apply a layer of it all over my face, apply my acne medication, then pat on another light layer for good measure. Before I started using this gel cream, my skin was often dry and flaking by the time I reached the office, but since I started using it, my face has felt soft, hydrated, and moisturized throughout the entire day. 

It's available in a travel- or even purse-friendly 1.7-oz. jar for touch-ups during particularly dry days. It only costs $16, and some reviewers say they buy it as the affordable alternative to Clinique's popular $39 Moisture Surge Replenishing Hydrator. If you don't experience extreme dryness or you're not sure what level of dryness your skin falls under, there's also a regular version, the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Face Gel Moisturizer for Dry Skin, which you can try first to see how your skin reacts. 

Whether you have naturally dry skin, tend to dry out during the colder seasons, or need to relieve the side effects of acne products, you should make the Neutrogena Hydro Boost gel cream a part of your skin routine.  Thanks to my history with acne, I have an instinctive distrust of many skin products, but I'll be buying this one again and again. 

Shop the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Gel-Cream Face Moisturizer for Extra-Dry Skin for $16 at Amazon, Target, and Walmart